Delicious Ingredients: The Best Podcasts of the Week – 2/2/2018

Each week I will publish the most Delicious Ingredients of my Audible Feast … the scrumptious, delectable, savory, rich, sweet, spicy, and best podcasts that have fed my ears this week. They’re listed in no particular order. You can see what I’ve been listening to here to see the competition these shows beat out to earn their spot as the best of the week.

This week I listened to 56 episodes before deciding what was top notch.

Latino USA: Who Started the Nipomo Fire? (1/26/18): What it’s about: “In April 2016, an arsonist torched a home that strawberry growers were building near Santa Maria, California. The fire followed weeks of protests from neighbors when they found out it would be filled with workers who were part of the H-2A agricultural work visa program. But many locals don’t seem to want farmworker housing in their neighborhoods.” Why it’s great: I didn’t previously know about the H-2A agricultural work visa, but am not surprised that established U.S. neighborhoods would do just about anything to prevent migrant workers from living nearby. We’re so afraid of “different than us.” But is it fair or humane to force the workers to live in some kind of commune separated from society? Super fascinating story that made me want to research more about the H-2A program. (24 minutes)
Twitter: @LatinoUSA

BBC Documentary: The End Zone (1/28/18): What it’s about: “Concussion is taking much of the sheen off America’s behemoth national sport and leading to many parents forbidding their children from taking it up. Bill Littlefield asks whether this multi-billion dollar business can survive if so many players turn their backs on the sport. Where will the next generation of players needed come from?” Why it’s great: Excuse my language … holy shit. My boys are NEVER playing youth football and if I can prevent it, never any football. I really love watching football for the skill the players exhibit – the amazing catches, tricky footwork – but advances in CTE analysis will hopefully change the game permanently for the better. Why do we pay money to watch and exalt local heros for banging into others leading with their heads? I can’t stop thinking about and talking about this episode. (50 minutes)
Twitter: @BBCWorldService

The Karen and Ellen Letters, S02E10: Go Be Free (The Finale) (1/30/18): What it’s about: “Reconciliation.” This is the final episode in the Karen and Ellen saga – much was revealed about the letters in previous episodes but this ties it all together. Why it’s great: As I said last week, you have to be into the letters to appreciate why it continually appears on my “best of the week” list, but for me, it’s been a silly, sometimes sad, and reflective journey over the last year listening to the narrative Josh Hallmark wove around these letters. The series finishes with a present-day letter from Ellen. Thank you, Josh, for your transparency regarding the letters and your oft-conflicted relationship with them and the characters in this story. (28 minutes)
Twitter: @karenandellenRead my 5-star review of The Karen and Ellen Letters here! (March 2017)

What it Takes: Sue Grafton: The Alphabet Ends at Y (1/29/18): What it’s about: “Sue Grafton wrote a mystery for every letter of the alphabet but one. When she died in December of 2017, she left her fans with the ultimate cliffhanger: there would be no book for the letter Z. In this fascinating and funny interview, she talked about facing her fears every day when she sat down to write. And she explained how a difficult childhood and a miserable divorce paved the way for one of the most successful mystery series of all time. Her books were published in 26 languages, and spent a total of eight years on the New York Times bestseller list.” Why it’s great: I’ve never read this astonishingly popular series, but I really want to after hearing examples of Grafton’s grit and perseverence. This woman tried so hard to make it – she had several unpublished novels and then got the book deal for A is for Alibi having only written 65 pages of it. (34 minutes)
Twitter: @WhatItTakesPod

Unladylike, Episode 2: How to Ride a Bicycle (1/30/18) *First appearance on Delicious Ingredients*: What it’s about: “Susan B. Anthony once called bicycles the ticket to “free, untrammeled womanhood” … but can women really pedal their way to empowerment? Cristen and Caroline investigate the complicated history of bicycles and catcalling, and talk to a modern, badass bike messenger about out how to clap back at douchebags.” Why it’s great: I felt the bike messenger’s rage as she described the everyday harassment she faces. She and other women in her professional network made a PSA for dudes who think it’s okay to tell a woman you’re going to rape her dead corpse. It’s applicable to ALL MEN EVERYWHERE – don’t be a dick! (46 minutes)
Twitter: @unladylikemedia